Fairfield Convention & Visitors Bureau » Uncategorized

Thank goodness for web guys & phone guys!

Terry Baker — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 21:54:35 +0000

If you live in SE Iowa, you’ve probably had a little trouble with rain and lightening in the last few weeks. About 10 days ago, our phone system had a little run in… and lost. If you have tried to call our office in the last week, you’ve probably had some difficulties getting through. Our phone guys have been scrambling to get us up and running as well as provide a much needed upgrade to our system. I must admit, I’ve enjoyed the quiet in the office but it will be good to be able to take calls again!

Of course, technological challenges seem to run in pairs. Today our email freaked. It was working just fine… then BAM, nothing goes out. How did we used to work without phones and email? Thank goodness I still have my blog and twitter… and soon, thanks to my web guy and my phone guy, I will be up and running with full force.

So to all you web guys and phone guys who work under any condition, enduring our frustration, burning the midnight oil so that we can keep in touch with our associates, I offer my heartfelt thanks. You have become heroes in my eyes.

All Things Italian Art Walk

rustin — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 16:22:25 +0000

This year’s All Things Italian Street Festival and 1st Fridays Art Walk was a wonderful success. Four to five thousand festival-goers enjoyed over 900 lasagna dinners and over 1800 freshly-filled cannoli. Over twenty local artists participated in a all day seminar at Icon Gallery with master Madonnaro Nedo Consoli, 30 year head of Associazione Madonnari d’Italia who was flown in from Venice for the festival. Bocce, sustainability bikes, cultural exhibits, pasta demonstrations and outdoor cafes kept the crowd entertained throughout the evening. The night culminated with $1000 in prizes drawn by the Iowa Lottery, a crowd-pleasing rendition of That’s Amore and an after-festival performance by local Beatles tribute band “Yellow Submarine”. Fairfield is still buzzing from the great times enjoyed by all at All Things Italian.

1st Fridays Art Walk All Things Italian Festival

Terry Baker — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 21:41:41 +0000

Friday, June 4th 6-9 pm On the Fairfield Square

It’s that time of year when the pastoral land of Fairfield, with its charming town square, becomes an Italian Piazza, complete with singing, dancing and food! Oh the food! Let me just say that if you go home hungry, its your own fault! In addition to the cannolis and lasagne, there will be several food vendors in the “Merchants of Venice” area located near the square. There are rumors that a record breaking crowd is expected so come early, eat lots, sing loud and laugh long! Arrivederci

Beach Boys bring Endless Summer to Fairfield

Terry Baker — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:30:22 +0000

Yep, those “good vibration” guys are doing a show in Fairfield on Labor Day and the organizers are planning a great afternoon! The Nadas from Des Moines will be opening at 12:30 and the Beach Boys take the stage at 2. The Fairfield Middle School, 404 W. Fillmore, will be a rockin’ place. Folks are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs (and your friends!) and make a fun afternoon out of it. I understand that there will be lots of food and beverages for sale. It’s a great way to end the summer… come on out and have a great time!

Lt. Governor Patty Judge in Fairfield

Terry Baker — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:25:17 +0000

Lt. Governor Patty Judge has been traveling the state visiting some of Iowa’s well-known attractions and hidden treasures. This morning she stopped in Fairfield to tour the Stephen Sondheim Center and was welcomed by a great crowd, including Fairfield’s Mayor Ed Malloy, Senator Becky Schmitz, members of the City Council, the Chamber of Commerce and other community leaders. One thing that really impressed me was her conviction that Iowa offers lots of great vacation options which are sometimes overlooked because they are so close to home.

I think we really surprised her when we took her up on stage to be part of the cast of Way Off Broadway’s Pirates of Penzance. She was very brave and donned a pirate hat for a special photo opportunity.

Yo ho ho Patty! Thanks for stopping in Fairfield!

We’re Dancing in Fairfield!

Terry Baker — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 21:58:29 +0000

The BYU Ballroom Dancers are coming back! This time they will be doing several dance demos and short performances, followed by a ballroom dance lesson for the community. Where else can you spend a fun afternoon watching top level ballroom dance up close and then learning some dance moves to use on your own? This is going to be fun!!!!! This Saturday, June 13 at 1:00 pm at the Sondheim Center.

So come on out to watch, come on out to dance, but come early… tickets go on sale at 10 am Saturday June 13th. All seats are $5.

Cannolis & Mannequins are coming

Terry Baker — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 22:11:48 +0000

June’s 1st Fridays Art Walk is almost here. Yep, this Friday, June 5th will bring the Italian transformation to the Fairfield Square. Of course there will be food!!! Get in line for your lasagne & cannolis. Last year was a sell out and it was so good. I’m also looking forward to the renowned juggler, Doug Grew. What a hoot that should be! The weather is promising to hold on to some sunshine, making this a great night to eat, drink and look at art!

Speaking of art, the Fairfield Art Association will be unveiling its mannequin project that night. This should be crazy fun as 12 groups of artists have decorated mannequins with recycled goods. I’ve gotten a preview & there are some creative people in this town! Hats off to Suzan Kessel for bringing this project into reality. You’ve gotta see Mark Schafer’s courthouse bustier!

See ya’ Friday!

BYU Ballroom Dance is coming!

Terry Baker — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 13:49:50 +0000

May 2nd, 7:00 pm

Brigham Young University Ballroom Dance Company

Capture the Magic

This will be an unforgetable evening of Ballroom Dance and glamour! (check out the videos on the home page of this website)

It’s almost here and if you don’t have your ticket, RUN, don’t walk to the Convention Center Box Office or visit www.iowatix.com and get your ticket.

1st of all, this will be an amazing show
2ndly, over 200 tickets have already been sold
and last but not least, you don’t want to get caught in line getting tickets at the last minute and miss part of the show!

FIND IT IN FAIRFIELD Fairfield 1st Fridays Art Walk November American Craft and Fine Art Show, Nov. 7 – 8

Terry Baker — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:38:50 +0000

The award winning Fairfield 1^st Fridays Art Walk will present the inaugural November American Craft and Art show November 7 – 8 at the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center. The November Art Walk will also feature the Fairfield art galleries and venues. The American Craft and Art show will feature over 40 vendors featuring jewelry, paintings, ceramics, quilts and a variety of craftspeople creating, demonstrating and selling original items.

The American Craft and Art Show will be Friday, November 7 from 5 – 9:30 p.m. and Saturday, November 8 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and admission is $3.

“The American Craft and Fine Art Show is an opportunity to bring your family and friends for the first of its kind at the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center featuring regional artisans for an opportunity to begin your holiday shopping with unique and handcrafted treasures,” said JoBeth Lewer, Deputy Director, Fairfield 1^st Fridays Art Walk. “The American Craft and Fine Art Show will also have Saturday workshops as part of the activities to learn how to knit a holiday garland, create beautiful earrings, holiday cards, scrapbooking and much more.”

The 1^st Fridays Art Walk has partnered with the Load’s Cupboard of Jefferson County to incorporate a canned food drive to assist with the holiday food request. Show patrons who bring a canned food item either Friday or Saturday will receive $2 off of the $3 admission.

“The Art Walk, along with the Lord’s Cupboard invite the Art patrons to experience the gift of giving as we head into the holiday season and give back to those in need,” said Rustin Lippincott, Fairfield Iowa Convention and Visitors Bureau. “1^st Fridays Art Walk will also feature a gallery walk on Friday night from 5 – 9:30 p.m. with an emphasis on the galleries, venues and shops throughout the Fairfield Square and Cultural District, along with the opening of Peter Pan at the Arts and Convention Center; Fairfield is the perfect destination to kick off the holiday season.”

The children’s activities component of the award winning Art Walk will feature tissue paper and construction paper stain glass windows and mobiles. The Fairfield Library will be joining the children’s activities with “sgraffito drawings”, scratch art concealed by black crayon and paint when revealed, features a colorful layer of drawings.

Saturday’s portion of the American Craft and Art Show will feature workshops to allow patrons to leave the show with a new skill and hobby. Topics of the workshops include, knit a Holiday garland from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.; Earring making from 11 a.m. – noon; and Holiday crafts from 1 – 3 p.m. Workshops are $5 per session and additional information and preregistration is available at FairfieldArtWalk.org.

In conjunction with the American Craft and Art Show, the Carnegie Historical Museum will feature 19^th century Native American handcrafts and array of artifacts, beadwork, basketry and pottery.

The Fairfield 1^st Fridays Art Walk received the Tourism and Awards award from the Iowa Tourism Office this past month and is a fusion of all types of Art held each month. For more information on Fairfield 1^st Fridays Art Walk, visit FairfieldArtWalk.org and TravelFairfieldIowa.com.